Love it or hate it, AirCoaster 3D (Formerly known as AirCoaster Online) is a popular App. It is currently at number 42 on the top 100 list of paid Apps. It also is pretty even in reviews between people who love it and people who hate it. So, what is this App that seems to create division between the happy people (sarcasm) of the AppStore?

I had a puppy growing up. I have to admit that if it were not for my sisters’ constant attention and care for it, the puppy would have wasted away. (before PETA gets all haywire about this, the dog was very well cared for… by my sisters) Unfortunately for me, I quickly learned that I do not have the care of attention or the memory for Virtual Villagers 2. In a short while, the continually living populace of my village were facing stagnation, death, and decay. Despite my own failings, Virtual Villagers 2: The Lost Children is a faithful port of the original game with the same name.

Finally, another Time Management game to ease my new addiction…Phew, I feel better! Actually, Chocolatier, brought to us by PlayFirst is actually so much more than that. Sure, there is the time management aspect in terms of efficiently using your time (in this case travel), but at heart, it’s more of a tycoon/economic type game.

When I first looked at the description of Airport Mania: First Flight on iTunes, I knew I immediately wanted to buy it. This was because I loved the cute little planes and that the theme of the game was very interesting to me. I mean, yes, the game is about airports and how to best utilise the resources at that particular airport, but deep down it’s really a strategic game whereby the player has to fit the right pieces into the right place. This proved right when I actually finished this game; I haven’t finished a game in a long time.

Simutrans, a free and popular transport simulation game (think SimCity and Transport Tycoon Deluxe) that has graced the PC, Linux and Mac has just made its way onto the iPhone/iPod Touch. Thanks to ZodTTD, the master homebrow dev responsible for bringing SNES and Playstation 1 emulators to jailbroken iDevices (among other projects), the port of Simutrans can now be enjoyed gratis at the palm of your hand:

Your goal is to establish a successful transport company. Transport passengers, mail and goods by rail, road, ship, and even air. Interconnect districts, cities, public buildings, industries and tourist attractions by buiding a transport network you always dreamed of.

Planes, ships, trains, trams, trucks, busses and monorails are at your disposal. You can control and watch your finances and the traffic of your vehicles and goods.

As this is essentially a direct port of the PC game and not built from the ground up for the iPhone, players will find Simutrans rather sluggish and an interface that can be difficult to nagivate. Still, free is free and fans of the genre should definitely be checking this out. [Simutrans, FREE]

Ever wondered what the most stressful job in the world feels like? ATC 4.0 introduces iPhone gamers to the world of Air Traffic Control. The role of a enroute air traffic controller consists of sitting in dark radar rooms monitoring the flow of traffic, they issue instructions to follow headings, warn pilots of conflicting traffic, and clear aircraft for arrivals and departures. At times, it may feel like a video game….or does it?

Ages ago, when Pull My Finger, a gas of an app whose cheese was cut by Apple for having ‘limited usability’ made waves on internet, the App Store was still young. Now, with over 10 000 apps in its library, the App Store is a gigantic katamari ball for both good and crap software. Need we more evidence than last Christmas when a farting app made the top ten seller list, touting features like, “the sick dog”?

SimCity has been published in the App Store. And, it is an iPhone App. And, it is an EA job. Prompted by those facts, I think we can make some hasty conclusions. On the iPhone side: It is touch controlled ala the iPhone interface. It is pocketable. It may be the game that god-game fans have waited for. On the EA side: it is not a unique release. It is massive. It is beautifully rendered. It has some major bugs. And, in classic EA tradition, it reaches a bit too high.

Take a look at the above list. Are you reminded of those heady days of teenage rebellion? Do you look fondly on cursing, spitting, bleeding from falls, running from the fuzz and beating up roller bladers? If so, then I think that the Swedish Illusion Labs AB have an app that will have you switchstancing down memory lane.

SimCity, one of the most anticipated titles for the iPhone has finally been released by EA today. All SimCity fans should rejoice as this iPhone remake is not some hosed down version of the game. Give EA credit for ensuring that all features we have come to love and expect from a SimCity title are included. I have had a chance to play the game for a bit (went through the tutorials and then some) and I must say that it is rather impressive. There were no noticeable slow downs and it runs surprisingly smoothe. Lots of building structures to choose from and all the view options (pollution, underground, traffic, land value) we are used to are here too. Definitely a must have title for fans of the series.